Essential Travel Tips for China
Everything you need to know to travel smarter, safer, and more confidently in China.
Before You Go
📋 Pre-Departure Checklist
3-6 Months: Book trip, apply for visa, check passport validity, research destinations
2-3 Months: Book flights, get vaccinations, purchase travel insurance
1 Month: Start packing, download apps, exchange currency, arrange transfers
💉 Health & Vaccinations
Recommended: Routine vaccines, Hepatitis A and B, typhoid
Consult your doctor about travel plans and medications
💳 Money & Banking
Currency: Chinese Yuan (RMB/CNY) ~ 1 USD ≈ 7 RMB
Payment Methods: Cash, WeChat Pay, Alipay (dominate), Credit cards (major hotels/restaurants)
Packing Tips
📄 Essential Documents
- Passport and visa (make photocopies)
- Travel insurance information
- Flight tickets and hotel confirmations
- Credit cards and ATM cards
👕 Clothing
- Comfortable walking shoes (essential!)
- Light layers (temperatures vary)
- Rain jacket/umbrella
- Warm clothes for winter/high-altitude
- Modest clothing for religious sites
📱 Technology
- Universal power adapter (Type A, C, I)
- Power bank for charging
- Smartphone with essential apps
- Camera and extra batteries
- VPN subscription
🧴 Toiletries
- Personal medications
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- Insect repellent
- Basic toiletries
- Hand sanitizer and wet wipes
Technology & Communication
📱 Essential Apps
Before You Leave: Download WeChat, Alipay, Google Translate (with Chinese), Pleco, Maps.me, VPN
Useful: Ctrip/Fliggy (hotels/flights), Didi (Uber equivalent), Train 12306 (trains)
🌐 Internet Access
Internet: Most hotels offer free Wi-Fi, mobile data via SIM cards available
Blocked: Google, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube. Solution: Use VPN services
Cultural Etiquette
✅ Dos
- Use both hands when giving/receiving items
- Remove shoes when entering homes/temples
- Dress modestly at religious sites
- Try local foods and customs
- Have business cards ready (if on business)
❌ Don’ts
- Don’t stick chopsticks vertically in rice
- Don’t tip in restaurants (not customary)
- Don’t touch people’s heads
- Don’t write names in red ink
- Don’t discuss sensitive political topics
Transportation
🚇 Within Cities
Subway: Fast, cheap, easy to navigate
Taxis: Reasonably priced, have addresses in Chinese
Didi: Chinese version of Uber
🚄 Between Cities
High-speed trains: Fast, comfortable, efficient
Flights: Best for long distances
Private transfers: Most comfortable, expensive
Food & Dining
🍜 Chinese Breakfast
- Congee (rice porridge)
- Dumplings (jiaozi)
- Soy milk (doujiang)
- Steamed buns (baozi)
- Fried dough sticks (youtiao)
🥢 Dining Tips
- Try street food (safe and delicious)
- Carry tissues (not always provided)
- Learn to use chopsticks (or bring fork)
- Specify ‘bu la’ (not spicy) if sensitive
- Drink bottled or boiled water
Safety & Security
🛡️ General Safety
Very Safe: Low violent crime rates
Precautions: Keep valuables secure, use hotel safes
Emergency: Police 110, Fire 119, Ambulance 120
🏥 Health & Medical
Hospitals: Major cities have excellent international hospitals
Recommendation: Carry travel insurance and necessary medications
Need More Help?
Our travel experts are available 24/7 to assist you during your trip
📧 Email: service@chinawondertour.net | 📱 WhatsApp: +86 xxx xxxx xxxx | 📞 Phone: +86 xxx xxxx xxxx
Have an amazing trip to China! 🌏